The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament has expressed dissatisfaction with the Controller and Accountant General’s Department (CAGD) for its inability to recover GH¢61 billion in state funds currently locked up with various companies and state institutions.
This criticism emerged during a recent session in Parliament, where the PAC reviewed the 2023 Auditor-General’s report on the public accounts of Ghana, focusing particularly on public boards, corporations, and statutory institutions.
The report revealed that of the GH¢61 billion owed to the state, GH¢46 million has been recovered so far, leaving a vast majority of the funds uncollected.
The Auditor-General’s report urged the CAGD to adopt a more effective tracking system to accurately record and trace financial transfers, facilitating the recovery of outstanding funds and preventing future financial losses.
Appearing before the Committee, Acting Controller and Accountant General, Mr. Kwasi Adjei, acknowledged the Department’s shortcomings but emphasized that the CAGD operates under the Ministry of Finance, providing public financial management services.
He also highlighted the establishment of a joint committee between the CAGD and the Ministry of Finance to oversee the recovery of the outstanding debts.
In related proceedings, Minister of Youth and Sports, Mustapha Yussif, along with officers from the National Youth Authority and the National Sports Authority, addressed queries raised by the Auditor-General.
The Ghana Water Company Limited, represented by Deputy Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Aminu Issahaku Chinnia, also faced scrutiny from the Committee regarding their financial management practices.
